The separatist Indigenous People of Biafra, on Wednesday, warned the Igbo people against joining the ongoing hunger or #EndBadGovernance protest across the country.
The pro-Biafran group insisted that Igbo people were fed up with Nigerian affairs and wanted only a referendum to exit the country and form their Biafra nation.
While asking Nigerians to carry their cross and enjoy their “Emilokan” – President Bola Tinubu’s campaign slogan – IPOB said if there was any for the Igbo to protest, it would be to demand the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and a date to demand a referendum to leave Nigeria.
The group stated this in a statement on Thursday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful.
“What we are interested in now is for President Bola Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and give us a date for the Biafran referendum for Biafrans to decide their fate in Nigeria or an independent Biafra Nation,” IPOB said.
While warning Igbo people not to join the hunger protest, IPOB alleged that there were plans to create a crisis and blame it on the Igbo people so they could be attacked.
It urged Igbo people living outside the South-East to concentrate on protecting themselves and their property while the protest lasted instead of participating.
It said, “Ndigbo should be careful and know that they are hated and targeted across the contraption called Nigeria.
“Furthermore, the false accusations against IPOB and Mr Peter Obi by the Federal Government as the sponsors of the proposed protest are part of the sinister plan and agenda to target Ndigbo for elimination.
“The false alarm that IPOB and Ndigbo are sponsoring the protest is another false flag operation targeted at killing Ndigbo during the protest.
“Neither, Ndigbo nor IPOB called for the Nigerians to protest against the leadership’s disastrous performance in Nigeria. Interestingly, both the IPOB, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and many other Igbo groups have warned Ndigbo not to join the proposed peaceful national protest against hardship and hunger in the wider Nigeria.
“We have maintained that Nigerians must carry their cross and enjoy their Emilokan. Ndigbo do not know what Emilokan means. Sadly, the Federal Government and her proxies are falsely accusing Ndigbo and IPOB as the sponsors of the protest. We have no hand in it.
“Therefore, all the Biafrans in the North and the West must understand that they are outside their region and should endeavour to defend themselves and their properties. As much as possible, refrain from joining either the planned peaceful protest or the hired pro-government protest.
“Should you expose yourself, you and your business will be the main target, not other tribes. Understand that you are not loved in the supposed country of the zoo called Nigeria that some of you claim to be part of.”